Buying BGN grade from KEH

[colyn]

I just received my Elmarit-M 135mm f/2.8 lens with eyes from KEH. This lens while graded BGN has no marks on the glass. It does however have very minor paint wear and a couple of small paint chips on the eyes.

Now if anybody has a front cap and/or 14161 Series VII retaining ring????

Focus is so much easier than with my Tele-Elmar 135mm f/4

If you are concerned about BGN grade from KEH don't worry..

 

[venchka]

Thanks, neighbor. I'll remember that when my self-imposed anti-GAS sentence expires.

 

[Xmas]

Wont any series ring work?

I'll check if you dont have one..

Noel

 

[colyn]

Wont any series ring work?

I'll check if you dont have one..

Noel

The thread pitch is slightly different and others are too thick to work with the collapsible hood.

KEH just listed one on their site so I grabbed it..

 

[ducttape]

I recall reading over the years that they grade very, very conservatively. Still, I've always been nervous because a chipped paint barrel is a far cry from scratched glass.

But this just seems to reinforce they're being a quality shop. Thx for sharing.

 

[grainhound]

I guess bargain equipment from KEH is ok if you check it out immediately. My BGN M3 arrived without a take-up spool, the shutter needed work, & the 1st roll of film I got back showed that there is a light leak. The winder clutch also slips a little on the 2nd stroke if I wind too hard. Mea culpa, I’m learning the ropes of mail order, & because of a chain of events too long for a post, I was almost a week over the 60 day period to send it back for an exchange. So the light leak is being fixed (here in T.O., as was the shutter). Fixed or not, KEH will give me $250 for it; I paid $449. I now wish I had sent it back right from the Fed Ex office; I have a bargain M3 which is no bargain. I may eventually just take the loss & sell it for cheap & get one in EX+ condition. From someone else.

 

[John Noble]

KEH definitely sets the standard. They aren't perfect, but I trust their rating implicitly and am usually pleasantly surprised.

Looking at my most recent acquisition, an EX 90mm M-Rokkor, I can't figure out where exactly they think there is any wear. The lens case (a drawstring pouch) is a nicely broken in, I guess, but the lens itself is beautiful.

 

[sienarot]

I guess bargain equipment from KEH is ok if you check it out immediately. My BGN M3 arrived without a take-up spool, the shutter needed work, & the 1st roll of film I got back showed that there is a light leak. The winder clutch also slips a little on the 2nd stroke if I wind too hard. Mea culpa, I’m learning the ropes of mail order, & because of a chain of events too long for a post, I was almost a week over the 60 day period to send it back for an exchange. So the light leak is being fixed (here in T.O., as was the shutter). Fixed or not, KEH will give me $250 for it; I paid $449. I now wish I had sent it back right from the Fed Ex office; I have a bargain M3 which is no bargain. I may eventually just take the loss & sell it for cheap & get one in EX+ condition. From someone else.

How much you looking for? 🙂

 

[Richie]

Over the years I have probably bought a dozen Leica M and R lenses in BGN condition from KEH, and have never had to return one. I should knock on wood now! 🙂

 

[Xmas]

Colyn

Tried mine and you are correct, a Kodak series ring did not thread beyond two turns and a Vivitar hood did not clear the Leitz series filter. So this evening is try everything, dabs of red paint on delinqunts.

Noel

 

[grainhound]

How much you looking for? 🙂

I'll have to get it back from the shop, run film through it, then do the math. If I'm then still interested in an Ex+ or so M3, I'd put this one up in the classified section.

 

[Ken Ford]

Everything I've ever bought from KEH in BGN condition has been a good deal - my M3 was a spectacular value.

 

[dreilly]

Just bought 3 canon fd lenses--two UGLY and one BGN--and all of them are solid, optically excellent. I can't complain. If I could, I would just send them back with little money lost. Not a bad deal! I know sometimes UGLY means that, but in my experience, it hasn't (yet!)

 

[sepiareverb]

I've also had good luck with Bargain from KEH. Got an EX Nikon F4S a few years back that was really spectacular.